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New Study Unveils Climate Change Effects on 24,000 US Lakes
A recent study led by researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) offers new insights into the intricate relationship between climate change and algal blooms in 24,000 freshwater lakes across the United States. Using open-access data and novel analytical methods, the study elucidates how climate interacts with human activities to affect these critical ecosystems. Complex Interactions…
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Increasing Risks of Flood Events Due to Climate Change
Extreme weather events are on the rise, driven by the mounting impacts of climate change. A pioneering study led by scientists at the Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change, University of Graz, has provided critical insights into how persistent heavy rainfall, known as cut-off lows, is expected to change as global temperatures continue to…
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New Study Reveals the Vulnerability of the Andes to Wildfires
September 2018 marked a catastrophic event for the Peruvian Andes when nearly 2,000 hectares of shrubland on the Pichu Pichu volcano were consumed by a wildfire. Unlike Mediterranean regions where vegetation has evolved to withstand frequent fires, the volcanic soils of Arequipa, one of the world’s driest areas, are ill-prepared for such disturbances. This event…
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Restoring Wildlife in Rich Nations May Harm Global Biodiversity, Experts Warn
A new study led by researchers at the University of Cambridge highlights a troubling paradox in conservation efforts: rewilding and restoring natural habitats in industrialized nations might inadvertently accelerate the extinction of species in more biodiverse regions. This phenomenon, referred to as the “biodiversity leak,” occurs when human activities detrimental to nature shift to other…
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New Study Warns Climate Change Impacting Global Cocoa Production
Cocoa is a critical cash crop for millions of smallholder farmers and supports a global chocolate industry worth over $100 billion annually. However, a new study led by the University of Oxford, in collaboration with Westlake University in China, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz in Brazil, and the University of Göttingen in Germany, warns that…
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Marine Fungi Can Eat Plastic: New UH Mānoa Study
Researchers at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa have found that several species of marine fungi have the impressive ability to degrade plastic. This breakthrough, led by Ronja Steinbach, who was a marine biology undergraduate student in the UH Mānoa College of Natural Science at the time, brings promising potential for addressing one of the most…
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The Environmental Risks of Mining the World’s Largest Lithium Deposit
Sitting atop Bolivia’s high Andean plateau, the Salar de Uyuni conceals a critical natural resource just below its surface — the world’s largest known lithium deposit. According to the Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment’s Avner Vengosh and doctoral student Gordon Williams, the hidden lithium brines pose significant potential for future sustainable energy but…
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Peatlands and Mangroves Critical to Reduce Carbon Emissions in SE Asia
A new international study has revealed that conserving and restoring Southeast Asia’s carbon-rich peatlands and mangroves could mitigate more than 50% of the region’s land-use carbon emissions. The study, published in Nature Communications, highlights how these ecosystems, which occupy just 5% of the region’s terrestrial land, are vital for climate goals across ASEAN countries. The…
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New Cost-Effective Method to Eliminate Forever Chemicals From Water
In an exciting development, researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered a new method to remove toxic “forever chemicals” from drinking water, marking a significant advancement in environmental science. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, are industrial chemicals pervasive in various products like cosmetics, carpeting, non-stick cookware and food packaging. Unfortunately, they…
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Air Pollution Can Negatively Impact Cognitive Abilities, New Study Finds
Short-term exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution can dent cognitive abilities, making ordinary tasks like a supermarket shop more difficult, a new study has found. Published in Nature Communications, researchers from the Universities of Birmingham and Manchester discovered that high concentrations of PM can impair emotional interpretation and focus on tasks. Using candle smoke…
